Greenville Family Partnership

Youth Internships Can Have a Great Impact!

GFP Intern Graham Bichell speak at the Kick Butts Day Kick Off 2009.

I interned for Greenville Family Partnership from my sophomore through my junior year in high school.  During my two years as an intern, I was challenged to step outside of my comfort zone and use my strengths to stand up for what I believe. My job description as an intern was broad and, much like the other employees at GFP, my primary responsibility was to “do what it takes” to forward GFP’s mission of keeping kids safe and drug-free.

This responsibility took many different forms - sometimes it meant speaking at press conferences about raising the SC tobacco tax while at other times it meant teaching youth at camps about the many harmful effects of using tobacco products. Other times it meant answering the phone in the office and cleaning a few dishes in the kitchen. 

Of the many projects I’ve worked on as a GFP intern, I discovered that my favorite tasks involve hands-on interaction with other people, especially with my peers. However, all of my experiences at GFP have taught me that the small details are just as important as the big picture and successfully organizing an event requires both.

As I leave for college, I feel that the lessons and experiences I will take with me from my internship here at GFP have made me better prepared for any future jobs, education, and service projects.

Submitted by Graham Bichell, GFP Youth Intern

What’s “Rage Against the Haze”? Are you a member?

“Rage Against the Haze” (RAGE) is South Carolina’s anti-tobacco youth movement. It has been in existence since 2002. The name of this movement was created by a group of teens from South Carolina. They chose the word “Haze” to represent the lengths to which tobacco companies go to get youth addicted. The word “Rage” represents how they felt about it. 

The mission of RAGE is to empower teens with self-confidence and knowledge so that they might become the influencers of their generation, spreading the anti-tobacco use message, peer to peer, throughout South Carolina, much like a virus is spread.

“RAGE” is all about using the facts to make sure that youth are making informed decisions about tobacco use. RAGE Members - or “Viral Mentalists” as they are sometimes called - travel throughout South Carolina promoting this message and inviting teens ages 13-17 to join them in their fight against tobacco.

“RAGE” needs passionate, intelligent, and engaging individuals who believe in making South Carolina a better and safer place for their peers. If you are interested in joining “RAGE”, please log on to Rage Against the Haze.com and click on the ticket to join!!!  

GFP Youth Internships

GFP Intern, Graham Bichel presents at Greenville Family Partnership's Annual Meeting 2009.

GFP’s Interns are passionate, intelligent, and live positive, drug-free lives. They stand behind GFP’s mission of “keeping kids off tobacco, alcohol, drugs and other harmful substances by educating and partnering with families and communities”. They show their support for this mission by working hard to keep their peers and young children drug-free.

Each intern participates in community programs directly and indirectly. Directly, they are involved in youth summer programs, year-round school programs, and community events. Indirectly, they create power points for use by staff during CODE Trainings, Safe Homes Parent Workshops and Drug Awareness Prevention Programs. They are also responsible for helping to re-stock inventory, answer phones and many other clerical duties.

To apply for an internship:

1. Call Greenville Family Partnership at (864) 467-4099 and ask to speak with Daniel Brown, the Youth Intern Program Coordinator/RAGE Central Coordinator.
2. Set-up a meeting to fill out the necessary forms and for an initial interview.
3. Wait to be contacted by Greenville Family Partnership.

Thank You!

GFP Youth Interns 2009

Jeanette Cannada/Red Ribbon Scholarship

Alesia McFarlin

This year, Greenville Family Partnership/Red Ribbon Works (GFP/Red Ribbon Works) has awarded two Jeanette C. Cannada/Red Ribbon Memorial Scholarships. These scholarships have been awarded in memory of Jeanette Cannada, a founding member of GFP/RRW, who gave 30 years of service to education and the prevention of alcohol, tobacco, and other drug use among youth.

This scholarship is awarded annually to Greenville, South Carolina high school seniors who are committed to volunteering in the community and living an alcohol, tobacco, and drug-free lifestyle. Applications must be submitted by April 2nd of every year. Recipients are announced in May.

Ethan Jordan

The 2009 recipients are Alesia McFarlin, a senior at Southside High School, and Ethan Jordan, a senior at Hillcrest High School. Ms. McFarlin plans to attend College of Charleston. Mr. Jordan plans to attend Tri County Technical College, bridging to Clemson University.

If you would like more information, please contact Jane Leo at (864) 414-7166. Or, you may access the links below.

• Scholarship Application Form
• Scholarship Application Process
• Scholarship Character Recommendations
• Scholarship Renewal Application Form